World of Spa & Wellness

Rolfing – Structural Integration

During the spring I started to take Rolfing sessions in Stockholm, the sessions with Runa Gustavsson (the Rolfer) started deep structural changes in my body and gave me insights and another perception of what a healthy and strong body feels and look like, it became more important for me to strive to use my body biomechanically correct giving freedom, grace and fluidity to movement.

The common workout is focused on building strength and cardiovascular capacity and sometimes when looking at people and myself working out it become very evident that we all need to adjust our alignment to be able to release the power and grace that is our birth right.

Runa spent a lot of time working on connective tissue in my neck and shoulder area on my right side resulting in a deep release of old tensions related to an accident some years ago. My arms movements are more connected to back and chest muscles now and it is easier to keep stability in reaching, pulling and holding objects or when moving in life.

Rolfing is a physically applied practice, administered by a qualified practitioner, typically in a series of ten sessions with the objective of maximizing individual wellbeing of body and mind.

It was Dr. Rolf’s theory that the cause of human discomfort, both physical and emotional may lie in our internal connective tissue and the relationship it has with the earth’s gravitational field.

There is, she argued, an optimal, more natural alignment for each of us – an easier interaction between self and gravity. When through external factors this alignment is lost, it causes internal stress that can result in real discomfort. Prevent or correct the misalignment and you may eliminate or limit the stress. This is at the heart of Rolfing.Linking all internal structures within the human frame is the fascial web. This plastic connective tissue unites the structure of the inner form and divides its individual functioning units.

Fascia is constantly changing and adapting in response to demands placed on an individual’s body. It reacts to particular physical damage – to a joint for example – by producing extra material to enhance stability and support. However, it can produce more than is necessary. In time, rather than stabilizing movement it can actually reduce mobility, leading to a changed postural position and altered patterns of movement

After completing ten sessions with a Certified Rolfer™ a client can expect to experience a greater sense of allover freedom. Better posture and improved movement can be expected. An enhanced understanding of how the body operates in harmony with gravity will be developed through the sessions. This new comprehension of the self can then be taken forward by the client and further experienced as a process of lifelong learning.